Markup in subdistrict's land purchased

Markup in subdistrict's land purchased

TANGERANG: Some 150 residents of Margasari subdistrict,
Karawaci district of Tangerang staged a rally at the municipal
council office on Monday to demand an investigation be conducted
over an alleged markup in the purchase of land that will be used
for the subdistrict's new office.

"Several district and subdistrict officials had marked up the
price of the plot," said Partono, who led the protesting
residents.

He said that the owner of the 400 square-meter plot, Suhanda,
said he had sold the plot to subdistrict and district officials
at Rp 200 million, while the municipal administration officials
had earlier disbursed Rp 350 million as requested by the district
officials to buy the plot.

"We are sure that the rest of the money has gone into the
pockets of several subdistrict and district officials," he said.

The residents demanded that the Tangerang City Council's
Commission A on public affairs soon form an investigating team to
probe the scandal.

Meanwhile, chairman of the commission, Fachrudin responded
emotionally and almost engaged in a fight with chairman of the
Tangerang Government Watch Tony Wismantoro whom he accused of
having instigated the rally.

Luckily, residents managed to calm Tony, who nearly fell over
after being shoved by Fachrudin.--JP